University at Buffalo

Alexandra E. Schindel (she/her)

Alexandra E. Schindel

Science Education

Associate Professor

LEARNING AND INSTRUCTION


Specialty/Research Focus

Equity and Justice in STEM Education; Climate Change Education; Environmental Justice Education

Contact Information
564 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Phone: 716-645-4067
schindel@buffalo.edu

View CV



Professional Summary:

My research lies at the crux of two of the most significant challenges in US schooling: a) the pressing need to increase the participation of young people in science from communities that have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields; and b) educating youth in a time of climate crisis. In my research, I address the critical need to increase learning and participation in science, environmental, and climate change education among underrepresented youth and to develop teacher capacity to facilitate empowering, equity-based and critical place-based practices in these fields. I accomplish this through two interrelated strands: (1) examining and enacting critical approaches to environmental and climate change education; and (2) examining contexts that support youth participation, civic action, and empowerment in science learning environments.

Education and Training:
  • PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011)
  • MAT, Cornell University (2001)
  • BS, Brigham Young University (1998)
Recent Publications:
Journal Article:
  • Miles, M., Schindel, A., and Haq, K. (2025). Whiteness in education: A barrier to the environmental justice education movement. Environmental Justice.
Recent Presentations:
Conferences:
  • Haas, D., Grabowski, K., and Schindel, A. (2024). Policy Efforts to Improve P-12 Climate Change Education in New York State. Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS). Syracuse, NY.;
  • Schindel, A., Teles Muñoz, E., & Fano, E. (2025). Storytelling as Movement Building: The Grassroots Intergenerational Movement for Climate Education and Action in New York State. In Structured Poster Session “Attending to Climate and Environmental Hope, Despair, and Repair Through Storytelling”. Poster presented at the annual meeting of American Educational Research Association, Denver, CO.;
Recent Grants:
Grant:
  • Citizen Science Teachers: University at Buffalo (UB) Noyce Residency Scholars; Federal Government; NSF NOYCE; Awarded; (06/04/2021-06/01/2025)
Recent Activities:
Professional Service:
  • AERA Environmental Education SIG Chair for 2025 Conference
    04/20/2023-04/30/2026
  • Climate Resilience Education Task Force (CRETF), Policy Action Committee Member
    04/01/2023-05/31/2025

Contact Information

564 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Phone: 716-645-4067
schindel@buffalo.edu

View CV